Debbie was resolute in her ambition to become a giant swordswoman. To her, a giant swordsman represented the pinnacle of strength among warriors. As she swung her massive sword, feeling its tremendous weight and power, she exclaimed, “Martin, I absolutely love this! It’s perfect!” Martin couldn’t help but think, It’s truly remarkable how someone so small can wield such a violent weapon...

  The wall beside their small courtyard had collapsed, and passersby in the street stopped to stare, but that was hardly a concern for them. With a shrug, Debbie brushed off the debris and prepared to head to the city lord's residence to return the repaired sword.

  Why the urgency, you ask? Well, it was nearly noon. Debbie was not one to miss out on a good meal, especially if the city lord’s household provided a lavish lunch.

  As they departed, Martin couldn’t help but sigh, realizing he had married a woman with an insatiable appetite.

  The fallen wall didn’t worry the neighbors; Stan City was known for its safety, and instances of theft were rare. They continued on, the atmosphere lively and bright.

  “Miss Effia is in the garden now, please follow me,” a servant smiled, leading Martin and Debbie deeper into the city lord’s estate.

  As they walked, Martin and Debbie took in the sights around them. The grandeur of the city lord’s residence was overwhelming; it was easy to see how someone could get lost here. Rumor had it that a thief had once snuck in, only to find himself completely disoriented and had to surrender to the guards just to find his way out.

  Finally, they arrived at the back garden, where the sound of clashing swords echoed through the air.

  “Is Miss Effia practicing swordsmanship?” Martin wondered aloud.

  “Yes,” the servant replied, “She’s preparing for an adventure and is currently recruiting partners.”

  “An adventure?” Martin echoed, intrigued.

  The garden was expansive, filled with vibrant flowers and plants, yet autumn had set in, leaving a carpet of fallen leaves. Despite the diligent efforts of the servants, the wind carried a chill that hinted at the approaching winter, creating an atmosphere of somber beauty.

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  In the center of the garden, Effia stood out, her figure commanding attention as she practiced with her sword. She wore a sleek white dress, which contrasted with the armor she had donned for combat. Alongside her were Asor, the towering orc warrior, and Balmain, a skilled human swordsman who was familiar to Martin and Debbie from their visits to Anthony’s magic shop.

  Two other human swordsmen watched the sparring match, one of whom was a giant swordsman, impressively built and easily towering over his opponent.

  Debbie’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Look at that giant swordsman! He’s incredible—at least a third-tier swordsman!”

  Martin glanced at the massive figure, then down at his own height of just over five feet. He couldn’t help but think that this was an interesting mismatch of skills and stature.

  As they approached, the servant informed Effia of Martin and Debbie’s presence. Asor turned and smiled, “Martin! You fixed Miss Effia’s sword already? I didn’t expect you to finish so soon.”

  Others, too, acknowledged them, with Balmain giving a friendly nod. However, two of the onlookers maintained a cold demeanor, seemingly uninterested.

  Effia stepped forward, accepting the sword from Debbie. She examined it briefly before swinging it toward a nearby tree.

  A sharp wind blade sliced through the air, severing branches and sending leaves cascading to the ground. “The magic matrix on this sword is well-restored,” she declared, her face a mix of pride and satisfaction. “I’ll pay you five hundred silver coins for your work, Martin.”

  “Thank you, Miss Effia!” Martin beamed, mentally calculating how much that would help his finances.

  Suddenly, a loud crash interrupted their moment. They turned to see the giant swordsman, Bolton, delivering a powerful blow that sent his opponent sprawling. The long sword snapped under the force, and the defeated swordsman tumbled to the ground, bloodied and gasping.

  “Miss Effia, my brother Bolton has proven himself worthy of joining your adventure!” one of the onlookers, a man in red armor, boasted. “He’s a third-tier swordsman and will be a strong asset!”

  “Of course,” Effia replied, tucking her sword away. “If he has defeated that swordsman, he’s more than qualified.”

  “Fantastic!” the armored man exclaimed, striding over to Bolton, who grinned triumphantly, clearly enjoying the attention.

  As they celebrated, Balmain interjected, “Wait! I suggest we add another member to our team.”

  “Who?” everyone asked, curiosity piqued.

  Balmain pointed at Martin. “This boy is an enchanter. Our adventure will take us into ancient tombs filled with magical traps, and his skills will be invaluable. I propose we invite him to join us!”

  Martin was taken aback. They wanted him to join the adventure?

  Effia considered Balmain’s suggestion carefully. “Martin, I’d like to officially invite you to join us. You’ll receive ten percent of the loot we find. Of course, we’ll do our best to ensure your safety.”

  Martin hesitated. He was excited by the prospect but also wary.

  “Come on, Hammer! We need you!” Balmain encouraged, sensing Martin’s reluctance. “We’ll be signing a contract with the church, so you can trust us not to betray you.”

  As Martin contemplated, Debbie suddenly spoke up, her voice firm. “No, if you’re going, then I’m going too!”

  Everyone turned to look at her, clearly surprised. “You really think you can keep up with us?” the armored man scoffed. “Our team already has a giant swordsman; we don’t need another.”

  Bolton chuckled, swinging his sword playfully, clearly enjoying the attention.

  “Debbie, you don’t have to—” Martin began, but she interrupted him.

  “This is an adventure! I’ve heard stories of treasures in ancient tombs worth dozens of gold coins. You can’t pass up this opportunity!” Her eyes glinted with excitement. “Plus, I can handle myself. That Bolton doesn’t look too smart, and my enchanted sword is ready to go.”

  Martin sighed inwardly, realizing that this was not just about treasure for her; it was about proving herself.

  As the discussions continued, it was clear that the path ahead was fraught with both danger and excitement. Adventure awaited, and with it came the promise of fortune and discovery—if they were brave enough to seize it.